Rep. Sharice Davids tests positive for COVID-19. She’s vaccinated, with mild symptoms

Jonathan Shorman
·2 min read
Kansa Rep. Sharice Davids

Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, who is fully vaccinated, said Friday that she has tested positive for COVID-19 but reports only mild symptoms.

Davids, a Democrat representing Kansas’3rd Congressional District, was already in Kansas recovering from a recent unrelated outpatient surgery. Her office disclosed Friday that she has now tested positive for the virus.

Davids’ positive test adds to the number of Kansas City area politicians who have had the virus since the start of the pandemic. Kansas Rep. Jake LaTurner had COVID-19 in January, and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson contracted it last fall.

But Davids represents the first known breakthrough infection among a major political figure in the region. Such cases are believed to be relatively rare, and in fully vaccinated individuals they almost never lead to hospitalization.

“Earlier today, I received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result. My symptoms are mild, and per CDC and House Attending Physician Guidance I am continuing to isolate at home, where I have been since an unrelated outpatient parathyroid surgery,” Davids said in a statement.

Davids, 41, has been vaccinated for months. On Friday, she said she was “incredibly grateful” for the vaccine and the protection that it offers and encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.

“I know things could have been much worse for me without it,” Davids said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who is vaccinated, tested positive earlier this week, the first known breakthrough case involving a U.S. senator. On Thursday, Rep. Ralph Norman, also of South Carolina, announced that he, too, has a breakthrough case.

Davids said she has followed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention throughout the pandemic to mask indoors in areas of high or substantial transmission.

After Davids’ office announced the positive test Friday, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wished the congresswoman a speedy recovery. Mayor Quinton Lucas said on Twitter: “Be well and hope you are feeling back to normal soon.”